The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gallbladder condition, including chronic cholecystitis status post-cholecystectomy, is being remanded due to the need for a fully adequate etiology opinion addressing potential exposure to burn pits and other environmental toxins during his deployments.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a direct-service-connection opinion was not fully adequate as it did not address whether the Veteran's condition could have been caused by exposures that occurred during service, including burn pit exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic cholecystitis, gallbladder condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26007373
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26007373.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that the Veteran may have been exposed to toxic substances during his service, including RF radiation and asbestos. However, VA did not obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between these exposures and the claimed conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for gallbladder condition, lower back pain, and arthritis in both shoulders have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis and chronic cholecystitis are remanded due to the need for VA examinations. The claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is also remanded as an addendum opinion is required.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gallbladder condition and his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The case will be returned for further development.
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